Adjust 1999 996 convertible top

[Tnathan]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 996 that, unfortunately, appears to have been in an accident. The convertible top seems to work somewhat, but it sort of sticks when coming out of the trunk and when it latches to the window it seems shifted to the left by about 1/8-1/4 cm (the hook and allignment tabs are all rubbing the left edge of their respective pockets on the window). I purchased a repair manual for the 996 and it discusses that there are some tension cables that can be tightend to adjust the horizontal location of the top, but for the life of me I can't figure out where they are at or how to get to them. Based on my issue, am I even on the correct path? Where are these tension cables at? How do I get at them? Thanks.

[wross996TT]

Have a look.

cabtop.pdf

[Chuck996]

Read that file --- will answer your questions. I had to refill my hydraulic resevor and then eventually replaced one of my hyraulic cylinders -- or had it rebuilt. Spent a long time working on it trying to figure out. If you were closer I would be glad to help --- but you are on the other coast.

Chuck996

[Tnathan]

Thanks for the replies. That is exactly the file I was looking at. However, I am new to porsche and couldn't figure out where those tension cables are. I was hopeful that those might be at the root of the problem. Is it under the black fabric piece, behind the seat, under the convertible top cover. Many of the pitcures are excellent. This one?????? Thanks again.

Read that file --- will answer your questions. I had to refill my hydraulic resevor and then eventually replaced one of my hyraulic cylinders -- or had it rebuilt. Spent a long time working on it trying to figure out. If you were closer I would be glad to help --- but you are on the other coast.

Chuck996

[Peter Serbanica]

The only tension cables hold rear trim stick. They are not adjustable. Only the hydraulic cylinders make top go up and down. I have replaced both cylinders due to leaking.

[Chuck996]

If you need to replace your hydraulic cylinders ---- have them rebuilt --ie seals replaced. About 1/4 the cost.

Chuck996

[Tnathan]

Thanks for the help, but my issue is that the convertible top seems skewed to the left by about 1/8cm. I haven't made the connection that this is a hydraulic issue. I was thinking that it is an allignment issue. When I looked at the manual page attached above, it talks about some allignment tension cables.

1. Where are they?

2. Is there much optimism that these cables are what is causing my issue?

Thanks.

If you need to replace your hydraulic cylinders ---- have them rebuilt --ie seals replaced. About 1/4 the cost.

Chuck996

[Tnathan]

Does anyone know where the cables are that are shown in this pitcure? This drive me nuts. I just can't figure out what that pitcure is supposed to be showing. Thanks.

Have a look.

[Peter Serbanica]

The cables are on the right and left side holding rear bow seal to edge of lid. Perhaps the bow straps have pulled through the rivits. The tension cables will not effect closing in front because thd lid will hold it back

[Tnathan]

The cables are on the right and left side holding rear bow seal to edge of lid. Perhaps the bow straps have pulled through the rivits. The tension cables will not effect closing in front because thd lid will hold it back

Got it thanks. Those cables are not what I am looking for. I need to adjust the convertible top where it connects to the front window. The shop manual gives me all the metric measurments for the top (A,B,C), but I couldn't figure out how to adjust the top. I think the top is a touch lower on the pasanger side. When it first comes out it catches on the right side and comes out crooked. Once the left side comes up enough the right side finally pops up and move along with the right side. THen when it attaches to the window all three latches are shifted to the leftand tend to rub on the left edge of their respective sockets.

My hope was that there was some sort of adjustment feature associated with the top where I could move it relative to the body of the car to allign it. If not what is the point of the A,B,C measurements? Thanks again for all your help.

[andreas]

The cables are on the right and left side holding rear bow seal to edge of lid. Perhaps the bow straps have pulled through the rivits. The tension cables will not effect closing in front because thd lid will hold it back

Got it thanks. Those cables are not what I am looking for. I need to adjust the convertible top where it connects to the front window. The shop manual gives me all the metric measurments for the top (A,B,C), but I couldn't figure out how to adjust the top. I think the top is a touch lower on the pasanger side. When it first comes out it catches on the right side and comes out crooked. Once the left side comes up enough the right side finally pops up and move along with the right side. THen when it attaches to the window all three latches are shifted to the leftand tend to rub on the left edge of their respective sockets.

My hope was that there was some sort of adjustment feature associated with the top where I could move it relative to the body of the car to allign it. If not what is the point of the A,B,C measurements? Thanks again for all your help.

Hi,

Any news? I have a simular problem. My top is too high, when closing the top is approx one inch above the front window frame. To make it work I need to hold/press down the top into the window frame connections.

Any help appreciated

Thanks!

[robthenailer]

My top has a different problem. There is a slight gap on the driver's side, midway back above the window and above the frame. The top is stretched towards the middle there by the elastic bands but is not pulling tight against the frame when the top is fully extended/closed. This is in the 2nd panel/section of the top frame. Any ideas.

[JeTexas]

Robthenailer, with the top halfway open, reach in under the headliner and make sure that the bracket that snaps over the metal rib is in place. When it comes off, it pulls on the elastic straps and doesn't let them slide back into the correct position. Once the bracket and headliner are secured on the metal rib, you should be able to give the elastic band a couple tugs and have it relax back to the normal position when the top is closed.

My top does the same thing to me every couple of months.

My top has a different problem. There is a slight gap on the driver's side, midway back above the window and above the frame. The top is stretched towards the middle there by the elastic bands but is not pulling tight against the frame when the top is fully extended/closed. This is in the 2nd panel/section of the top frame. Any ideas.

[Tnathan]

Robthenailer, with the top halfway open, reach in under the headliner and make sure that the bracket that snaps over the metal rib is in place. When it comes off, it pulls on the elastic straps and doesn't let them slide back into the correct position. Once the bracket and headliner are secured on the metal rib, you should be able to give the elastic band a couple tugs and have it relax back to the normal position when the top is closed.

My top does the same thing to me every couple of months.

My top has a different problem. There is a slight gap on the driver's side, midway back above the window and above the frame. The top is stretched towards the middle there by the elastic bands but is not pulling tight against the frame when the top is fully extended/closed. This is in the 2nd panel/section of the top frame. Any ideas.

I still have the problem. IF the responses I received are the correct way to fix it, I am not smart enough to get it. I was hoping that there was some sort of an adjustment mechanism that allows you to adjust where the top is attached to the car. THe left side seems to come out an inch or so first. The right side seems to catch a little. As the left side continunes to move upward, the right side finally pulls free. When it gets to the windshield, the latch in the middle tends to rub on the left surface of the opening. Often it takes a couple tries before the latch actually snaps in to the windshield.

I have thought of three possibilities:

1. The whole top is misalligned relative to the body. Are there some mechanical screws that could be adjusted to reallign how the top is attached to the car body?

2. Maybe the frame/top be properly alligned but the issue is that the right pump is weaker than the left one, and it is getting "dragged" through the cycle by the more powerful left pump. If so, does the right pump need replacement/adjustment? I saw there were some posts about refiling the hydraulic fluid. This sounded a little complicated. Or, is there a calibration cycle in the onboard computer that could be used by the dealer to cheaply electronically adjust the pumps to actuate together.

3. Is the frame bent and I have bigger issues?

Who knows? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[JeTexas]

The pumps work off the same fluid reservoir and circuit, so if one is weaker than the other, it's because it's leaking.

There is a calibration sequence that a dealer or anyone with a Durametric or PST-2 can run through, but it will do nothing to fix your problem.

Sounds to me like your frame is bent.

Edited October 26, 2009 by JeTexas

[Tnathan]

That would be sad. Does anyone know how much it costs to have the frame stretched? This sounds like it wouldn't be cheap and could damaqe the car. Any insights out there?